Image forming apparatus, image processing device, control device, and connection device

ABSTRACT

A disclosed image forming apparatus includes an image processing device including plural image processing units; a control device configured to control the plural image processing units; and a connection unit configured to connect the image processing device to the control device. Each of the plural image processing units is connected to the control device by one of plural channels; the image processing device is connected to the control device by a first bus including the channels; and the connection unit is provided on the first bus so that the image processing device is connected to the control device by a single connection unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit under 35U.S.C. §120 from U.S. application Ser. No. 12/045,214, filed on Mar. 10,2008 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,844,755, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C.§119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-069646, filed Mar. 16,2007, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an imageprocessing device, a control device, and a connection device.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, there is a technology of providing a high-speed serialbus as an internal bus in an image processing device for transferringdata inside the image processing apparatus at high speed. Generally,image data are high-volume, and therefore the technology of transferringsuch data at high speed is important for performing high-speedprocessing.

For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2005-148896(Patent Document 1) discloses an invention of further increasing theprocessing speed of an image equipment system that uses a PCI-Express®interface (I/F) (hereinafter, “P-E”) which is a high-speed serial I/F.Specifically, plural switches are provided under a route complex. Thefunctions connected to the switches are appropriately divided in orderto separate the data transfer operation performed via the route complexand the data transfer operation performed with a switch as the highestlevel.

Furthermore, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No.2004-106456 (Patent Document 2) discloses an invention of an imageforming apparatus in which a controller and an image forming functionunit in the image forming apparatus are connected by a P-E bus.Accordingly, the controller and the image forming function unit areremovably attached to each other, and moreover, the overall powerconsumption of the apparatus can be controlled.

According to the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2,the controller and the image forming function unit can be performed onseparate substrates. This configuration facilitates increasing speed,improving performance, and increasing the number of functions, whichrequire changes in the design of a circuit board.

The “controller” and the “image forming function unit” described inPatent Document 2 correspond to the “control device” and the “imageprocessing device” of the present invention, respectively.

-   Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No.    2005-148896-   Patent Document 2: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No.    2004-106456

However, the invention of the image forming apparatus disclosed inPatent Document 2 does not describe how the substrate having acontroller function and the substrate performing the image formingfunction are connected to each other. The type of image processingperformed by an image forming apparatus differs according to the type ofimage and the purpose, such as an image read with a scanner or an imageto be output with a plotter. A large scale integrated circuit (LSI) or asubstrate may be provided for each type of image processing. With such aconfiguration where each of the different substrates is connected to thesubstrate having the controller function with a connection unit such asa connector, it is necessary to develop each individual substrate aswell as a dedicated connector for each substrate, which leads toincreased development costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an image forming apparatus, an imageprocessing device, a control device, and a connection device in whichone or more of the above-described disadvantages are eliminated.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides an imageforming apparatus in which a control device and an image processingdevice in the image forming apparatus are connected by a singleconnection unit, the image processing device and the control devicethereof, and a connection device for connecting the image processingdevice and the control device.

An embodiment of the present invention provides an image formingapparatus including an image processing device including plural imageprocessing units; a control device configured to control the pluralimage processing units; and a connection unit configured to connect theimage processing device to the control device, wherein each of theplural image processing units is connected to the control device by oneof plural channels; the image processing device is connected to thecontrol device by a first bus including the channels; and the connectionunit is provided on the first bus so that the image processing device isconnected to the control device by a single connection unit.

An embodiment of the present invention provides an image processingdevice in an image forming apparatus, wherein the image processingdevice is connected to a control device located in the image formingapparatus by a single connection unit; the image processing deviceincludes plural image processing units; each of the plural imageprocessing units is connected to the control device by one of pluralchannels; the image processing device is connected to the control deviceby a first bus including the channels; the connection unit is providedon the first bus so that the image processing device is connected to thecontrol device by a single connection unit; and the image processingunits are arranged in such a manner as to correspond to an arrangementof terminal blocks included in the connection unit, wherein each of theterminal blocks corresponds to one of the image processing units, andeach of the terminal blocks includes terminals corresponding to signalsthat are input to or output from the corresponding one of the imageprocessing units.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a control deviceprovided in an image forming apparatus, wherein the control device isconnected to an image processing device provided in the image formingapparatus by a single connection unit; the control device includesplural control units; each of the plural control units is connected tothe image processing device by one of plural channels; the controldevice is connected to the image processing device by a first busincluding the channels; the connection unit is provided on the first busso that the control device is connected to the image processing deviceby a single connection unit; and the control units are arranged in sucha manner as to correspond to an arrangement of terminal blocks includedin the connection unit, wherein each of the terminal blocks correspondsto one of the control units, and each of the terminal blocks includesterminals corresponding to signals that are input to or output from thecorresponding one of the control units.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a connection device forconnecting a first device including plural first units to a seconddevice including plural second units, wherein each of the plural firstunits is connected to one of the plural second units by a singlechannel; the first device is connected to the second device by a firstbus including plural of the channels; and a connection unit is providedon the first bus so that the first device is connected to the seconddevice by a single connection unit.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, an image formingapparatus in which a control device and an image processing device inthe image forming apparatus are connected by a single connection unit,the image processing device and the control device thereof, and aconnection device for connecting the image processing device and thecontrol device are provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description when readin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional configuration in which a motherboard,a circuit board (board), and another board are connected with the use ofa P-E bus;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the part where the board and themotherboard are connected by the connector;

FIG. 3 illustrates plural boards connected to a single board by a singleconnection device;

FIG. 4 is an example of an arrangement of terminals of a connector (part1);

FIG. 5 is an example of an arrangement of terminals of a connector (part2);

FIG. 6 illustrates a controller, an engine unit, and a connectorincluded in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of an image forming apparatus including acommon printed circuit board and a common connector (part 1);

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a scanner device controlled by a commonprinted circuit board and a common connector;

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a printer device controlled by a commonprinted circuit board and a common connector;

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a scanner device controlled by adedicated printed circuit board and a common connector;

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a printer device controlled by adedicated printed circuit board and a common connector;

FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a scanner device controlled by acommon printed circuit board and a dedicated connector;

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a printer device controlled by acommon printed circuit board and a dedicated connector;

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a scanner device controlled by adedicated printed circuit board and a dedicated connector;

FIG. 15 illustrates an example of a printer device controlled by adedicated printed circuit board and a dedicated connector (part 1);

FIG. 16 illustrates an example of a printer device controlled by adedicated printed circuit board and a dedicated connector (part 2);

FIG. 17 illustrates an example of an image forming apparatus including acommon printed circuit board and a common connector (part 2); and

FIG. 18 illustrates an example of an external storage device controlledby a common printed circuit board.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A description is given, with reference to the accompanying drawings, ofan embodiment of the present invention.

To facilitate understanding of an embodiment of the present invention,before describing an embodiment of the present invention, a descriptionis given of a conventional example in which plural substrates areconnected with the use of a P-E bus. In the following, a “board”corresponds to a “substrate”.

FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration in which a motherboard 90, a board10, and a board 20 are connected with the use of a P-E bus. The board 10is connected to the motherboard 90 by a connector 81, and the board 20is connected to the motherboard 90 by a connector 82.

The board 10 includes an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit)1, the board 20 includes an ASIC 2, and the motherboard 90 includes anASIC 9. The ASIC 1 is connected to the ASIC 9 by a channel 1 of the P-Ebus, and the ASIC 2 is connected to the ASIC 9 by a channel 2 of the P-Ebus.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the part where the board 10 and themotherboard 90 are connected by the connector 81. In FIG. 2, themotherboard 90 that is a printed circuit board and the board 10 that isan expansion board is connected by the connector 81. The connector 81has a specification defined by the “Card ElectromechanicalSpecification” (hereinafter, “CEM specification”), which is a standardof the P-E regarding a system card and an add-in card.

The physical layer of the P-E bus has a data transfer capability of 2.5Gbps one way, and connects the devices in a one-to-one manner. A pair ofdifferential signals transferred bidirectionally is referred to as a“lane”, and the number of lanes can be increased according to need.Thus, the bus width corresponding to the bandwidth of the bus isexpandable.

In the present specification, a bundle of lanes used for connectingdevices in a one-to-one manner is referred to as a “channel”.Accordingly, the P-E bus includes one or more channels. Each channel caninclude clock signals, etc., for controlling the devices.

Embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to thefigures.

FIG. 3 illustrates a connection device according to an embodiment of thepresent invention and boards connected by the connection device, whereplural boards are connected to a single board by a single connectiondevice. A single connector 80 shown in FIG. 3 connects the board 10 andthe board 20 to the motherboard 90. The connector 80 is provided on theP-E bus. This bus includes a channel 1 for connecting ASIC 1 and ASIC 9,and a channel 2 for connecting ASIC 2 and ASIC 9.

In FIG. 3, in addition to channel 1 and channel 2, clock signals CLK1and CLK2 are output from the ASIC 9 to the ASIC 1 and to the ASIC 2,respectively. CLK1 and CLK2 are predetermined clock signals, which canbe included in the channels.

(Examples of Terminal Arrangement in Connector 80)

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate examples of arrangements of terminals in theconnector 80. In FIG. 4, the connector 81 is, for example, forconnecting the board 10 shown in FIG. 1 and the motherboard 90, and theconnector 82 is, for example, for connecting the board 20 shown in FIG.1 and the motherboard 90.

The connector 81 includes VCC which is a terminal for the power source,debug which is a terminal for control signals, CLK0 which is a terminalfor clock signals, and four terminals of Lane00 through Lane03 eachcorresponding to one of the lanes. The connector 82 includes VCC whichis a terminal for the power source, debug which is a terminal forcontrol signals, CLK1 which is a terminal for clock signals, and fourterminals of Lane10 through Lane13 each corresponding to one of thelanes.

The connector 80 includes terminals corresponding to the terminals ofthe connector 81 and the connector 82. As terminals for channel controlsignals, the connector 80 includes VCC which is a terminal for the powersource, CTL which is a terminal for control signals, and GND which is aterminal for connecting to an electrical ground.

The connector 80 further includes CLK0 and the four terminals of Lane00through Lane03 which are terminals corresponding to channel 1 forconnecting the motherboard 90 and the board 10. The connector 80 furtherincludes CLK1 and the four terminals of Lane10 through Lane13 which areterminals corresponding to channel 2 for connecting the motherboard 90and the board 20.

FIG. 5 illustrates the arrangement of terminals in the connection deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, in eachof the connection devices illustrated in (A) and (B), the terminals arearranged in two rows. The respective rows are referred to as side A andside B.

FIG. 5(A) illustrates an arrangement of terminals in a case where twochannels are connected with a single connector, which is defined by theCEM specification. In FIG. 5(A), VCC and debug which are terminals forchannel control signals are included in both side A and side B. In sideA, terminals Lane0 R through Lane7 R corresponding to lane 0 throughlane 7 are arranged in the order of lanes. In side B, terminals Lane0 Tthrough Lane7 T corresponding to lane 0 through lane 7 are arranged inthe order of lanes.

The letter “T” in Lane0 T, etc., represents terminals corresponding tosignals output from the motherboard 90 to the board 10. The letter “R”in Lane0 R, etc., represents terminals corresponding to signals inputfrom the board 10 to the mother board 90.

FIG. 5(B) illustrates an arrangement of terminals in the connectiondevice according to an embodiment of the present invention. In theconnection device of FIG. 5(B), a control signal terminal block isprovided in side A, and a transfer signal terminal block is provided inside B. More specifically, as terminals for channel control signals,side A is provided with VCC which is a terminal for the power source,GND which is a terminal for connecting to the electrical ground, and CTLwhich is a terminal for control signals. Side B is provided withterminals of Lane0 T through Lane7 R, which are arranged by each lane inthe order of Lane0 T, Lane0 R, Lane1 T, Lane1 R . . . and so forth. Thatis, there are pairs of signals, each pair including input signals andoutput signals for one lane. These pairs of signals are arranged in theorder of the lanes.

(Diagram Illustrating a Controller and an Engine Unit Connected by aConnection Device in an Image Forming Apparatus)

FIG. 6 illustrates a controller and an engine unit that are connected bythe connection device of FIG. 5(B) in an image forming apparatus. Theimage forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 6 includes a controller 900,an engine unit 100, and a connector 800.

The controller 900 controls the engine unit 100 and other devicesincluded in the image forming apparatus. The controller 900 includes,for example, a Copy ASIC 910 and a CPU 990. The Copy ASIC 910 is a unitfor performing processes such as correcting an image when the imageforming apparatus performs a copying process.

The CPU 990 is a unit for performing various control operations by thecontroller 900 by executing a predetermined computer program. Thecomputer program executed by the CPU 990 can be stored in a storagedevice (not shown).

The engine unit 100 includes units pertaining to image processesperformed by the image forming apparatus. The engine unit 100 includes,for example, an Image ASIC 110 and a Printer ASIC 120. The Image ASIC110 is a unit for performing, for example, a predetermined process onsignals output from a scanner (not shown), and generating orrestructuring image data to be processed in the image forming apparatus.The Printer ASIC 120 is a unit for processing image data for output to aplotter included in the image forming apparatus.

Each of the Image ASIC 110 and the Printer ASIC 120 is connected to thecontroller 900 by a P-E channel including four lanes. Signals outputfrom the Image ASIC 110 and the Printer ASIC 120 are connected toterminals of the connector 800 by wiring of the engine unit 100.

Wiring for connecting the Image ASIC 110 to a terminal of the connector800 and wiring for connecting the Printer ASIC 120 to a terminal of theconnector 800 are arranged on the engine unit 100 in such a manner as tonot intersect each other.

For example, the connector 800 has a configuration as shown in (B) ofFIG. 5, in which terminal blocks are arranged in two rows, each rowincluding terminals on the engine unit 100 and on the controller 900.The respective rows are referred to as side A and side B. Each terminalin the terminal block of side A provided on the engine unit 100 isconnected to one of the terminals in the terminal block of side Aprovided on the controller 900. Each terminal in the terminal block ofside B provided on the engine unit 100 is connected to one of theterminals in the terminal block of side B provided on the controller900.

The terminal block provided on the engine unit 100 further includes aterminal block corresponding to the Image ASIC 110 and terminal blockcorresponding to the Printer ASIC 120. The terminal blocks are providedin the connector 800 in such a manner as to be independent from eachother.

In the above configuration, the Image ASIC 110 and the Printer ASIC 120are physically connected to the controller 900 by a single connector800.

The Image ASIC 110, the Printer ASIC 120, the Copy ASIC 910, and the CPU990 are logically connected by a single bus. This bus can be, forexample, a P-E bus. In this case, the channel connecting the Image ASIC110 and the Copy ASIC 910 is a channel for image input, which channelincludes four lanes of the P-E. The channel connecting the Printer ASIC120 and the CPU 990 is a channel for image output, which channelincludes four lanes of the P-E.

In the above configuration, the connector 800 is provided on a busconnecting the engine unit 100 and the controller 900, thereby forming aconnection between this bus and channels included in the bus.

(Example of a Detailed Configuration of an Image Forming ApparatusAccording to an Embodiment of the Present Invention)

FIGS. 7 through 19 illustrate examples of configurations of an imageforming apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention.

(Example of an Image Forming Apparatus Including a Common PrintedCircuit Board and a Common Connector—Part 1—)

FIG. 7 illustrates a detailed configuration of an image formingapparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.Specifically, FIG. 7 illustrates a controller and an engine unitcontrolled by a connector that is commonly used by different imageforming apparatuses (hereinafter, “common connector”) and a printedcircuit board that is commonly used by different image formingapparatuses (hereinafter, “common printed circuit board”). The imageforming apparatus shown in FIG. 7 includes, for example, the controller900, the engine unit 100, a scanner 111, an operation unit 161, and apower source unit 171. The power source unit 171 is indicated as “PSU”in the figure.

The controller 900 is controlled by a printed circuit board, andincludes, for example, the CPU 990, a memory 980, an I/O-ASIC 970, anetwork communication device 971, a USB host 960, a hard disk device930, the Copy ASIC 910, and printed wiring connecting the aforementionedelements.

The CPU 990 controls the devices included in the image forming apparatusby executing a predetermined computer program. The memory 980temporarily holds data when the CPU 990 executes a process. The memory980 can also hold, for example, computer programs executed by the CPU990, or the memory 980 can have a function for having the computerprograms expanded in the memory 980 so that the computer programs areexecutable by the CPU 990.

The I/O-ASIC 970 controls data that are input to or output from theimage forming apparatus or controls a device having such a function.Furthermore, the I/O-ASIC 970 controls the power source unit 171. Thenetwork communication device 971 performs communications between theimage forming apparatus and an external device connected to the imageforming apparatus via a network. The USB host 960 transmits/receivesdata to/from a USB device. For example, in FIG. 7, a display deviceincluded in the operation unit 161 is a USB device.

The hard disk device 930 stores high-volume data. The hard disk device930 stores, for example, image data input from the scanner 111 or imagedata based on the image data that have been input from the scanner 111.The Copy ASIC 910 makes predetermined corrections on an image whenperforming a copying process in which image data that are input from thescanner 111 are output to the plotter.

The controller 900 includes printed wiring for connecting the aboveASICs together and connecting the ASICs to the connector 800. Oneexample of the printed wiring included in the controller 900 for thePCI-E bus is printed wiring corresponding to a channel including fourlanes of the P-E for the connector 800 to transfer image data input fromthe scanner 111 to the Copy ASIC 910. Another example is printed wiringcorresponding to a channel including four lanes of the P-E for the CPU990 to transfer image data output to the plotter from the connector 800.

The controller 900 further includes the following printed wiring. Thereis printed wiring for controlling the power source, which printed wiringconnects the connector 800 and the I/O-ASIC 970 so that the CPU 990 cancontrol the power source unit 171 via the I/O-ASIC 970. There is alsoprinted wiring for communicating commands by transmitting signals ofinstructions input from the operation unit 161. There is also printedwiring for transferring signals compliant with the USB 2.0 standard,which enables the USB host 960 to transfer, to the operation unit 161,data to be displayed on a screen.

The engine unit 100 performs various image processing procedures of theimage forming apparatus, and is configured with a printed circuit boardprovided with ASICs corresponding to such image processing procedures.The engine unit 100 includes the Image ASIC 110, the Printer ASIC 120,and a laser disc (LD) 121.

The Image ASIC 110 generates image data based on signals input from thescanner 111. The Printer ASIC 120 generates image data to be output tothe plotter (not shown). The LD 121 converts the image data processed bythe Printer ASIC 120 from electrical signals into laser beams, andoutputs the converted laser beams to the not-shown plotter. The LD 121and another unit (not shown), which outputs image data insynchronization with the linear velocity of the plotter, can beconfigured as a single unit.

The engine unit 100 further includes the following printed wiring. Thereis printed wiring for a P-E bus connecting the above ASICs and theconnector 800. There is also printed wiring for connecting the aboveASICs and a device provided on the outside of the engine unit 100.Moreover, the engine unit 100 includes printed wiring for connecting adevice provided on the outside of the engine unit 100 to the connector800. For example, there is printed wiring for connecting the operationunit 161 and the controller 900 by connecting a terminal of theoperation unit 161 and a terminal of the connector 800.

The scanner 111 is a device for outputting signals generated byoptically reading an image. The operation unit 161 receives instructionsfor the image forming apparatus input by an operator or displays thestatus of the image forming apparatus. The power source unit 171acquires power supplied to the image forming apparatus and sends it tothe I/O-ASIC 970.

In addition to the configuration of the connector 800 shown in FIG. 6,the connector 800 includes terminals or terminal blocks corresponding toprinted wiring for controlling the power source, printed wiring forcommunicating commands, and printed wiring for transferring signalscompliant with the USB 2.0 standard. These terminals or terminal blockscan be configured in such a manner as to be compliant with theircorresponding buses.

With the use of these terminal blocks, it is possible to makeconnections with a bus of the USB 2.0 standard, in addition to makingconnections with a P-E bus.

(Example of a Scanner Device Controlled by a Common Printed CircuitBoard and a Common Connector)

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a scanner device including thecontroller 900 and an engine unit 100 a controlled by a common printedcircuit board and a common connector. The scanner device shown in FIG. 8includes the same printed circuit board and the same connector as thoseof the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 7. In the scanner deviceshown in FIG. 8, ASICs and devices having the same configurations asthose of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 7 are denoted by thesame reference numbers, and are thus not further described.

In the engine unit 100 a of the scanner device shown in FIG. 8, thePrinter ASIC 120 and the LD 121 are not mounted in a Printer ASICinstallation position 120 a or an LD installation position 121 a,respectively. However, the printed wiring connected to theseinstallation positions is provided in the same manner as that of theengine unit 100 of FIG. 7. Incidentally, when there is no “installationposition”, it means that terminals for installing the Printer ASIC orthe LD are not provided on the printed wiring on the printed circuitboard. With such a configuration, it is possible to connect the sameprinted circuit board as that of FIG. 7 by the same connector as that ofFIG. 7, thereby controlling an image forming apparatus without a printerfunction.

(Example of a Printer Device Controlled by a Common Printed CircuitBoard and a Common Connector)

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a printer device including a controller900 b and an engine unit 100 b controlled by a common printed circuitboard and a common connector. The printer device shown in FIG. 9includes the same printed circuit board and the same connector as thoseof the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 7. In the printer deviceshown in FIG. 9, ASICs and devices having the same configurations asthose of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 7 are denoted by thesame reference numbers, and are thus not further described.

In the engine unit 100 b of the scanner device shown in FIG. 9, theImage ASIC 110, the scanner 111, the Copy ASIC 910, and the hard diskdevice 930 are not mounted in an Image ASIC installation position 110 b,a scanner installation position 111 b of the engine unit 100 b, a CopyASIC installation position 910 b, and a hard disk device installationposition 930 b of the controller 900 b, respectively. However, theprinted wiring connected to these installation positions is provided inthe same manner as that of the engine unit 100 and the controller 900 ofFIG. 7. With such a configuration, it is possible to connect the sameprinted circuit board as that of FIG. 7 by the same connector as that ofFIG. 7, thereby controlling an image forming apparatus without a scannerfunction.

(Example of a Scanner Device Controlled by a Dedicated Printed CircuitBoard and Common Connector)

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a scanner device including thecontroller 900 controlled by a common printed circuit board, an engineunit 100 c controlled by a dedicated printed circuit board, and a commonconnector. The controller 900 and the connector 800 of the scannerdevice shown in FIG. 10 have the same configurations as the controller900 and the connector 800 of the scanner device shown in FIG. 8, and arethus not further described. In the engine unit 100 c of the scannerdevice shown in FIG. 10, ASICs and devices having the sameconfigurations as those of the engine unit 100 of the scanner deviceshown in FIG. 8 are denoted by the same reference numbers, and are thusnot further described.

The engine unit 100 c of the scanner device shown in FIG. 10 is notprovided with the Printer ASIC installation position 120 a or the LDinstallation position 121 a of, for example, FIG. 8, nor is the engineunit 100 c provided with printed wiring to be connected to suchinstallation positions. However, the engine unit 100 c is provided withother ASICs and printed wiring in the same manner as the engine unit 100of FIG. 8. With such a configuration, it is possible to connect theengine unit 100 c controlled by a different printed circuit board fromthat of FIG. 8 to the controller 900 by the same connector as that ofFIG. 8, thereby controlling an image forming apparatus having the samescanner function as that of FIG. 8.

(Example of a Printer Device Controlled by a Dedicated Printed CircuitBoard and a Common Connector)

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a printer device including acontroller 900 d and an engine unit 100 d controlled by a dedicatedprinted circuit board and a common connector. The connector 800 of theprinter device shown in FIG. 11 has the same configuration as that ofthe printer device shown in FIG. 9, and is thus not further described.In the controller 900 d and the engine unit 100 d of the printer deviceshown in FIG. 11, ASICs having the same configurations as those of thecontroller 900 b and the engine unit 100 b of the printer device shownin FIG. 9 are denoted by the same reference numbers, and are thus notfurther described. Furthermore, the functions and configurations of theoperation unit 161 and the power source unit 171 are the same as thedevices in FIG. 7 denoted by the same reference numbers, and are thusnot further described.

The printed circuit board of the engine unit 100 d of the printer deviceshown in FIG. 11 is not provided with the Image ASIC installationposition 110 b of the engine unit 100 b of the printer device of FIG. 9,nor is the engine unit 100 d provided with printed wiring to beconnected to such an installation position. However, the engine unit 100d is provided with other ASICs and printed wiring in the same manner asthe engine unit 100 b of FIG. 9.

Furthermore, the printed circuit board of the controller 900 d of theprinter device shown in FIG. 11 is not provided with the Copy ASICinstallation position 910 b or the hard disk device installationposition 930 b of the controller 900 b of the printer device of FIG. 9,nor is the controller 900 d provided with printed wiring to be connectedto such installation positions. However, the controller 900 d isprovided with other ASICs and printed wiring in the same manner as thecontroller 900 b of FIG. 9.

With such a configuration, it is possible to connect together the engineunit 100 d and the controller 900 d controlled by different printedcircuit boards from those of FIG. 9 by the same connector 800 as that ofFIG. 9, thereby controlling an image forming apparatus without a scannerfunction similar to that of FIG. 9.

(Example of a Scanner Device Controlled by a Common Printed CircuitBoard and a Dedicated Connector)

FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a scanner device including thecontroller 900 and the engine unit 100 a controlled by a common printedcircuit board and a dedicated connector. The controller 900 shown inFIG. 12 has the same function and configuration as the controller 900shown in FIG. 7, and is thus not further described. The engine unit 100a shown in FIG. 12 has the same function and configuration as the engineunit 100 a shown in FIG. 8, and is thus not further described.Furthermore, the functions and configurations of the scanner 111, theoperation unit 161, and the power source unit 171 are the same as thedevices in FIG. 7 denoted by the same reference numbers, and are thusnot further described.

A connector 810 included in the scanner device of FIG. 12 has adifferent configuration from that of the connector 800 shown in FIGS. 7through 11. For example, the connector 810 is not provided with the partfor connecting printed wiring to be connected to an ASIC pertaining to aprinter function that is not included in the scanner device shown inFIG. 12. The connector 810 can have a configuration that does notinclude any of the parts pertaining to a printer function as illustratedin FIG. 12, or the connector 810 can have a configuration that does notinclude a terminal block pertaining to a printer function but does havethe same casing as that of the connector 800.

With such a configuration, it is possible to connect together thecontroller 900 and the engine unit 100 a by a single connector 810,thereby controlling an image forming apparatus having a scannerfunction.

(Example of a Printer Device Controlled by a Common Printed CircuitBoard and Dedicated Connector)

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a printer device including thecontroller 900 b and the engine unit 100 b controlled by a commonprinted circuit board and a dedicated connector. The controller 900 bshown in FIG. 13 has the same function and configuration as thecontroller 900 b shown in FIG. 9, and the engine unit 100 b shown inFIG. 13 has the same function and configuration as the engine unit 100 bshown in FIG. 9, and are thus not further described. Furthermore, thefunctions and configurations of the operation unit 161 and the powersource unit 171 are the same as the devices in FIG. 7 denoted by thesame reference numbers, and are thus not further described.

A connector 820 included in the printer device of FIG. 13 has adifferent configuration from that of the connector 800 shown in FIGS. 7through 11 or the connector 810 shown in FIG. 12. For example, theconnector 820 is not provided with the part for connecting printedwiring to be connected to an ASIC pertaining to a scanner function thatis not included in the printer device shown in FIG. 13. The connector820 can have a configuration that does not include any of the partspertaining to a scanner function as illustrated in FIG. 13, or theconnector 820 can have a configuration that does not include a terminalblock pertaining to a scanner function, but does have the same casing asthat of the connector 800.

With such a configuration, it is possible to connect together thecontroller 900 b and the engine unit 100 b by a single connector 820,thereby controlling an image forming apparatus having a printerfunction.

(Example of a Scanner Device Controlled by Dedicated Printed CircuitBoard and Dedicated Connector)

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a scanner device including thecontroller 900 controlled by a common printed circuit board, the engineunit 100 c controlled by a dedicated printed circuit board, and adedicated connector. The controller 900 shown in FIG. 14 has the samefunction and configuration as the controller 900 shown in FIG. 7, andthe engine unit 100 c shown in FIG. 14 has the same function andconfiguration as the engine unit 100 c shown in FIG. 10, and are thusnot further described. Furthermore, the functions and configurations ofthe scanner 111, the operation unit 161, and the power source unit 171are the same as the devices in FIG. 7 denoted by the same referencenumbers, and are thus not further described.

The connector 810 included in the scanner device of FIG. 14 has adifferent configuration from that of the connector 800 shown in FIGS. 7through 11, and has the same configuration as that of the connector 810of the scanner device shown in FIG. 12. For example, the connector 810is only provided with the part for connecting printed wiring to beconnected to an ASIC pertaining to a scanner function that is includedin the scanner device shown in FIG. 14. The connector 810 can have aconfiguration that only includes parts pertaining to a scanner functionas illustrated in FIG. 14, or the connector 810 can have a configurationthat does not include a terminal block pertaining to a printer functionincluded in the connector 800, but does have the same casing as that ofthe connector 800.

With such a configuration, it is possible to connect together thecontroller 900 and the engine unit 100 c by a single connector 810,thereby controlling an image forming apparatus having a scannerfunction.

(Example of a Printer Device Controlled by a Dedicated Printed CircuitBoard and a Dedicated Connector—Part 1—)

FIG. 15 illustrates an example of a printer device including thecontroller 900 d and the engine unit 100 d controlled by a dedicatedprinted circuit board and a dedicated connector. The controller 900 dand the engine unit 100 d shown in FIG. 15 have the same Functions andconfigurations as the controller 900 d and the engine unit 100 d shownin FIG. 11, and are thus not further described. Furthermore, thefunctions and configurations of the operation unit 161 and the powersource unit 171 are the same as the devices in FIG. 7 denoted by thesame reference numbers, and are thus not further described.

The connector 820 included in the printer device of FIG. 15 has adifferent configuration from that of the connector 800 shown in FIGS. 7through 11, and has the same configuration as that of the connector 820of the scanner device shown in FIG. 13. For example, the connector 820can have a configuration that only includes parts pertaining to aprinter function as illustrated in FIG. 15, or the connector 820 canhave a configuration that does not include a terminal blockcorresponding to the terminal block pertaining to a printer functionincluded in the connector 800, but does have the same casing as that ofthe connector 800.

With such a configuration, it is possible to connect together thecontroller 900 d and the engine unit 100 d by a single connector 820,thereby controlling an image forming apparatus having a printerfunction.

(Example of a Printer Device Controlled by a Dedicated Printed CircuitBoard and a Dedicated Connector—Part 2—)

FIG. 16 illustrates an example of a printer device including acontroller 900 e and an engine unit 100 e controlled by dedicatedprinted circuit boards and a connector 822 that is a dedicatedconnector. The ASICs in the controller 900 e and the engine unit 100 eshown in FIG. 16 have the same functions and configurations as the ASICsin FIG. 7 denoted by the same reference numbers, and are thus notfurther described. Furthermore, the functions and configurations of theoperation unit 161 and the power source unit 171 are the same as thedevices in FIG. 7 denoted by the same reference numbers, and are thusnot further described.

The engine unit 100 e shown in FIG. 16 does not include the Printer ASIC120 included in the engine unit 100 shown in FIG. 7. The Printer ASIC120 is provided in the controller 900 e. Accordingly, signals outputfrom the Printer ASIC 120 to the connector 822 become compliant with ageneral-purpose interface for images. Therefore, this configuration isdifferent from that of, for example, FIG. 7, in which signals compliantwith the P-E are transferred by printed wiring provided at the sameposition.

Accordingly, the connector 822 of the printer device shown in FIG. 16includes a terminal block for signals of general-purpose image dataoutput from the Printer ASIC 120, instead of the terminal block forsignals compliant with the P-E included in the connector 820.

With such a configuration, it is possible to connect together thecontroller 900 e and the engine unit 100 e by a single connector 822,thereby controlling an image forming apparatus having a printerfunction.

(Example of Image Forming Apparatus Including Common Printed CircuitBoard and Common Connector—Part 2—)

FIG. 17 illustrates an example of an image forming apparatus including acontroller 900 f and an engine unit 100 f controlled by a common printedcircuit board and a connector 800 f that is a common connector. TheASICs in the controller 900 f and the engine unit 100 f shown in FIG. 17have the same functions and configurations as the ASICs in FIG. 7denoted by the same reference numbers, and are thus not furtherdescribed. Furthermore, the functions and configurations of the scanner111, the operation unit 161, and the power source unit 171 are the sameas the devices in FIG. 7 denoted by the same reference numbers, and arethus not further described.

The ASICs in the engine unit 100 f and the controller 900 f shown inFIG. 17 are arranged differently from those in the engine unit 100 andthe controller 900 shown in FIG. 7, but the functions performed aresubstantially the same. The difference is that the engine unit 100 f andthe controller 900 f include a connector 170 and a connector 972,respectively, for connecting the power source unit 171. The connector170 and the connector 972 are connected to wiring for controlling thepower source. The power source unit 171 is detachably attached withrespect to the connector 170 and the connector 972.

The terminal blocks included in the connector 800 f are arrangeddifferently from those in the connector 800 to correspond to thearrangement of the ASICs and the printed wiring included in the engineunit 100 f and the controller 900 f. However, the functions performedare the same, and are thus not further described.

With such a configuration, it is possible to connect together thecontroller 900 f and the engine unit 100 f by a single connector 800 f,thereby controlling an image forming apparatus having a printerfunction.

(Example of an External Storage Device Controlled by a Common PrintedCircuit Board)

FIG. 18 illustrates an example where the controller 900 f, which isincluded in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 17, is configured as anexternal storage device. The external storage device of FIG. 18 isconnected to the power source unit 171, and includes a controller 900 g.The controller includes, for example, the CPU 990, the memory 980, theI/O-ASIC 970, the network communication device 971, and the Copy ASIC910.

The CPU 990 and the memory 980 control other devices such as the harddisk device 930. The I/O-ASIC 970 controls the network communicationdevice 971. The network communication device 971 transmits/receives datato/from the outside.

The image processing function of the Copy ASIC 910 is unnecessary whenthis device is configured as an external storage device. However, dataoutput from the CPU 990 are transmitted to the hard disk device 930through the Copy ASIC 910. Therefore, the image processing function isprovided in the controller 900 g configured as the external storagedevice according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The controller 900 g is formed with the same printed circuit board asthat of the controller 900 f of FIG. 17. However, the USB host 960 isnot mounted on a USB host installation position 960 g. Furthermore, thecontroller 900 g is not provided with printed wiring to be connected toa terminal of the connector 800 f, which printed wiring is included inthe controller 900 f of FIG. 17.

With such a configuration, it is possible to control an external storagedevice with the use of the same printed circuit board as that of thecontroller 900 f of FIG. 17.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the ASICs or the devices areprovided on printed circuit boards of the controllers 900 and 900 athrough 900 g or the engine units 100 and 100 a through 100 f. However,units for performing functions of these ASICs or the devices need not beprovided on the printed circuit boards. The printed circuit boards canbe provided with interfaces for the units performing the functions, andthese interfaces can be connected to such units.

Furthermore, in an embodiment of the present invention, the Image ASIC110, the Printer ASIC 120, and the Copy ASIC 910 can be configured withan LSI. Alternatively, these can be configured with a device includingplural circuits each performing the same process on images as itscorresponding ASIC. Alternatively, these can be configured withsoftware.

More specifically, the printed circuit board or the printed wiring boardaccording to an embodiment of the present invention can be provided withprinted wiring without having ASICs mounted thereon.

The scanner device according to an embodiment of the present inventiondoes not include a function for forming an image on a medium, but isregarded as a type of “image forming apparatus” because it forms imagedata optically scanned by the scanner 111.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, an image formingapparatus includes an image processing device including plural imageprocessing units; a control device configured to control the pluralimage processing units; and a connection unit configured to connect theimage processing device to the control device, wherein each of theplural image processing units is connected to the control device by oneof plural channels; the image processing device is connected to thecontrol device by a first bus including the channels; and the connectionunit is provided on the first bus so that the image processing device isconnected to the control device by a single connection unit.

Accordingly, an image forming apparatus can be provided, in which acontrol device and an image processing device in the image formingapparatus are connected by a single connection unit.

Additionally, according to one embodiment of the present invention, inthe image forming apparatus, a bus width of the first bus can be changedaccording to a number of the channels.

Accordingly, an image forming apparatus can be provided, including theconnection unit provided on a bus whose bus width can be changed.

Additionally, according to one embodiment of the present invention, inthe image forming apparatus, the connection unit includes terminalblocks, wherein each of the terminal blocks corresponds to one of theimage processing units, and each of the terminal blocks includesterminals corresponding to signals that are input to or output from thecorresponding one of the image processing units.

Accordingly, it is possible to implement a configuration in which wiringto be connected to a terminal included in the connection unit and to oneof the image processing units does not intersect with wiring to beconnected to another image processing unit.

Additionally, according to one embodiment of the present invention, inthe image forming apparatus, the control device includes plural controlunits; and the connection unit includes terminal blocks, wherein each ofthe terminal blocks corresponds to one of the control units, and each ofthe terminal blocks includes terminals corresponding to signals that areinput to or output from the corresponding one of the control units.

Accordingly, it is possible to implement a configuration in which wiringto be connected to a terminal included in the connection unit and to oneof the control units does not intersect with wiring to be connected toanother control unit.

Additionally, according to one embodiment of the present invention, inthe image forming apparatus, the terminal blocks include a controlsignal terminal block corresponding to channel control signals commonlyincluded in the channels; and a transfer signal terminal blockcorresponding to signals other than the channel control signals amongsignals transferred by the channels.

Accordingly, a channel control signal commonly included in the channelscan be commonly used among plural image processing units or pluralcontrol units.

Additionally, according to one embodiment of the present invention, inthe image forming apparatus, in the control device, the control unitsare arranged in such a manner as to correspond to an arrangement of theterminal blocks included in the connection unit, each of which terminalblocks includes the terminals corresponding to the signals that areinput to or output from the corresponding one of the control units.

Accordingly, it is possible to implement a configuration in which wiringto be connected to a terminal included in the connection unit and to oneof the control units does not intersect with wiring to be connected toanother control unit.

Additionally, according to one embodiment of the present invention, inthe image forming apparatus, in the image processing device, the imageprocessing units are arranged in such a manner as to correspond to anarrangement of the terminal blocks included in the connection unit, eachof which terminal blocks includes the terminals corresponding to thesignals that are input to or output from the corresponding one of theimage processing units.

Accordingly, it is possible to implement a configuration in which wiringto be connected to a terminal included in the connection unit and to oneof the image processing units does not intersect with wiring to beconnected to another image processing unit.

Additionally, according to one embodiment of the present invention, inthe image forming apparatus, the first bus includes a bus defined by aP-E specification.

Accordingly, in an image forming apparatus in which an image processingdevice and a control device are connected by a PCI-Express (registeredtrademark) bus, the connection unit can be provided on the bus so thatthe image processing device and the control device are connected by asingle connection unit.

Additionally, according to one embodiment of the present invention, inthe image forming apparatus, the image processing device and the controldevice are further connected by a second bus different from the firstbus; and the connection unit includes a terminal or a terminal blockcorresponding to the second bus.

Accordingly, an image processing device and a control device that areconnected by a first bus and a second bus can be connected by a singleconnection unit.

Additionally, according to one embodiment of the present invention, theimage processing device and the control device included in theabove-described image forming apparatus, or a connection device forconnecting the image processing device and the control device, can beprovided.

The present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosedembodiment, and variations and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image forming apparatus, comprising: an imagehandling device including plural image handling units; a control deviceconfigured to control the plural image handling units; and a connectionunit configured to connect the image handling device to the controldevice, wherein each of the plural image handling units is physicallyconnected to the control device, the image handling device is connectedto the control device, the plural image handling units output signalsthat are connected to the connection unit, and the connection unit isprovided so that the image handling device is connected to the controldevice by a single connection unit.
 2. The image forming apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the connection unit includes terminalblocks, wherein each of the terminal blocks corresponds to one of theimage handling units, and each of the terminal blocks includes terminalscorresponding to signals that are input to or output from thecorresponding one of the image handling units.
 3. The image formingapparatus according to claim 2, wherein in the image handling device,the image handling units are arranged in such a manner as to correspondto an arrangement of the terminal blocks included in the connectionunit, each of which terminal blocks includes the terminals correspondingto the signals that are input to or output from the corresponding one ofthe image handling units.
 4. The image forming apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the control device includes plural control units; andthe connection unit includes terminal blocks, wherein each of theterminal blocks corresponds to one of the control units, and each of theterminal blocks includes terminals corresponding to signals that areinput to or output from the corresponding one of the control units. 5.The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein in the controldevice, the control units are arranged in such a manner as to correspondto an arrangement of the terminal blocks included in the connectionunit, each of which terminal blocks includes the terminals correspondingto the signals that are input to or output from the corresponding one ofthe control units.
 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,wherein the terminal blocks further include a control signal terminalblock corresponding to channel control signals, and a transfer signalterminal block corresponding to signals other than the channel controlsignals.
 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe image handling device and the control device are connected by afirst bus, and the connection unit includes a terminal or a terminalblock corresponding to the first bus.
 8. The image forming apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein each of the plural image handling units isdirectly connected to the control device.
 9. An image handling deviceprovided in an image forming apparatus, wherein the image handlingdevice is connected to a control device provided in the image formingapparatus by a single connection unit, the image handling deviceincludes plural image handling units, each of the plural image handlingunits is connected to the control device, the image handling device isconnected to the control device, the connection unit is provided so thatthe image handling device is connected to the control device by a singleconnection unit, and the image handling units are arranged in such amanner as to correspond to an arrangement of terminal blocks included inthe connection unit, wherein each of the terminal blocks corresponds toone of the image handling units, and each of the terminal blocksincludes terminals corresponding to signals that are input to or outputfrom the corresponding one of the image handling units.
 10. A controldevice provided in an image forming apparatus, wherein the controldevice is connected to an image handling device provided in the imageforming apparatus by a single connection unit, the control deviceincludes plural control units, each of the plural control units isconnected to the image handling device, the control device is connectedto the image handling device, the connection unit is provided so thatthe control device is connected to the image handling device by a singleconnection unit, and the control units are arranged in such a manner asto correspond to an arrangement of terminal blocks included in theconnection unit, wherein each of the terminal blocks corresponds to oneof the control units, and each of the terminal blocks includes terminalscorresponding to signals that are input to or output from thecorresponding one of the control units.
 11. A connection device forconnecting a first device including plural first units to a seconddevice including plural second units, wherein each of the plural firstunits is physically connected to one of the plural second units, thefirst device is connected to the second device, a connection unit isprovided so that the first device is connected to the second device by asingle connection unit, the plural first units output signals that areconnected to the connection unit, and the connection unit includesterminal blocks, wherein each of the terminal blocks corresponds to oneof the first units, and each of the terminal blocks includes terminalscorresponding to signals that are input to or output from thecorresponding one of the first units.
 12. A connection device forconnecting a first device including plural first units to a seconddevice including plural second units, wherein each of the plural firstunits is physically connected to one of the plural second units, thefirst device is connected to the second device, a connection unit isprovided so that the first device is connected to the second device by asingle connection unit, the plural first units output signals that areconnected to the connection unit, and the connection unit includesterminal blocks, wherein each of the terminal blocks corresponds to oneof the second units, and each of the terminal blocks includes terminalscorresponding to signals that are input to or output from thecorresponding one of the second units.
 13. A connection device forconnecting a first device including plural first units to a seconddevice including plural second units, wherein each of the plural firstunits is physically connected to one of the plural second units, thefirst device is connected to the second device, a connection unit isprovided so that the first device is connected to the second device by asingle connection unit, the plural first units output signals that areconnected to the connection unit, the connection unit includes terminalblocks, wherein each of the terminal blocks corresponds to one of thefirst units, and each of the terminal blocks includes terminalscorresponding to signals that are input to or output from thecorresponding one of the first units, and the terminal blocks furtherinclude a control signal terminal block corresponding to channel controlsignals, and a transfer signal terminal block corresponding to signalsother than the channel control signals.
 14. A method performed by animage forming apparatus, the method comprising: controlling, using acontrol device, plural image handling units, the plural image handingunits being included in an image handling device; connecting, using aconnection unit, the image handling device to the control device so thatthe image handling device is connected to the control device by a singleconnection unit; physically connecting each of the plural image handlingunits to the control device; and outputting signals, by the plural imagehandling units, that are connected to the connection unit.